Tellabs, TollBridge Fuse VoIP Tech

Tellabs Inc. and TollBridge Technologies Inc. have agreed to marry some of
their technologies as part of an effort to jump-start the relatively nascent
voice-over-Internet-protocol sector.

Specifically, Tellabs will combine its 'CABLESPAN 2700'
cable-modem-termination-system with TollBridge's 'TB300' voice gateway, claiming
that the combination will help cable operators to tap the public switched
telephone network to offer full-feature voice services on top of their legacy
digital, high-speed-data and video offerings.

That system -- which is based on Data Over Cable Service Interface
Specification 1.1 and PacketCable 1.0 -- also includes Tellabs' embedded
multimedia-terminal adapters, which the company absorbed via a $181 million deal
in February to acquire closely held Future Networks Inc.

While MSOs like AT&T Broadband and Cox Communications Inc. have used
circuit-switched technology to offer phone service to thousands of customers,
only a smattering of cable operators -- including Time Warner Cable, Comcast
Corp. and Adelphia Communications Corp. -- have even tested VoIP in the
field.

Separately, TollBridge said it raised $25 million in a fourth round of
venture funding, bringing its total to data to $92 million. Matrix Partners,
Meritech Capital Partners, Sutter Hill Ventures, TeleSoft Partners and Worldview
Technology Partners put money up in TollBridge's most recent round.

TollBridge said it will use the funding to expand product development and to
boost its cable presence domestically and outside of U.S.
borders.